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Idiopathic Vestibular Disease

LadyAred

Lairian
Joined
Nov 4, 2020
Messages
81
Points
44
*sigh* Does anyone have any experience with feline Ideopathic Vestibular Disease? Brendan, our black, oldest kitty suddenly started having symptoms that I thought were probably related to a stroke, but our friend who brought us Mika, suggested this particular disease. I’m not at all familiar with it and figured I’d come to the one place I trust to ask for advice. Brendan attached himself to our son, and we’ve left a message for him to come by home immediately after work.
We’re all stressed and this so wasn’t in the plans for Christmas. I’m trying very hard to stay calm and not start crying. It’s not working too well.
The pics are Brendan and Kenzie, Mika and the “cone of shame” right after being spayed, and my son and “work” when he was called in to work at the city’s annual Christmas tree lighting and Christmas light parade. I think he got attacked by Christmas elves… or gnomes. Gotta be the gnomes.
 

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tuffysmommy

Senior Lairian
Senior Lairian
Joined
Jan 10, 2011
Messages
674
Points
203
My Foxy had this a number of years ago. It is hard for them to tell if it neurological or an ear infection. Often the way they do is to provide antibiotics and antifungals after taking a culture of the ear and hoping that works first. It is not something to take lightly. It is better to let a vet look at him. MyFoxy had it so bad that she couldn't find water on her nose. She wound up at the Animal Medical Center in Manhattan and had to have an MRI. Because of the delicate balance between fungus and bacteria in the ear, once they determined it was not neurological, they let her take a few more courses of the medications and let her be. She remained with a head tilt for many years but otherwise well until she had a bad urinary tract infection and they gave her large doses of antibiotics. Magically the head tilt went away.

So all of this is to suggest that you take him to the vet, let them take an ear culture and see if antibiotics and maybe antifungal clears the problem. It is like vertigo in humans.
 

LadyAred

Lairian
Joined
Nov 4, 2020
Messages
81
Points
44
My Foxy had this a number of years ago. It is hard for them to tell if it neurological or an ear infection. Often the way they do is to provide antibiotics and antifungals after taking a culture of the ear and hoping that works first. It is not something to take lightly. It is better to let a vet look at him. MyFoxy had it so bad that she couldn't find water on her nose. She wound up at the Animal Medical Center in Manhattan and had to have an MRI. Because of the delicate balance between fungus and bacteria in the ear, once they determined it was not neurological, they let her take a few more courses of the medications and let her be. She remained with a head tilt for many years but otherwise well until she had a bad urinary tract infection and they gave her large doses of antibiotics. Magically the head tilt went away.

So all of this is to suggest that you take him to the vet, let them take an ear culture and see if antibiotics and maybe antifungal clears the problem. It is like vertigo in humans.
Thanks for sharing your experience. It’s 2:30 am and Brendan is doing better than he was earlier in the afternoon. We’re still going to try to get him to the vet and keep an eye on him. I’m on meds for dizziness and vertigo. It’s not fun!
 

LadyAred

Lairian
Joined
Nov 4, 2020
Messages
81
Points
44
Just to let you all know, Brendan is doing just fine. We’ve been keeping a close watch on him, or trying to. We found him in one of his favorite spots today, on top of the fridge. He’s walking around and jumping and eating and drinking just like he owns the place. We’re still keeping an eye on him, and will have his ears cleaned when we can, but at least now he’s back to his old self. We were so afraid of losing him, but he’s bounced back very quickly. I love you all here! I know I can always find help and support here!
 

Yoda mom

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 23, 2012
Messages
28,484
Points
653
@LadyAred , awh.. a lair family of prayers continued improvement to sweet Brendan. adorable photo with sweet Kenzie,
Speedy recovery vibes to Mika for her spay surgery.
lol, yes, must have been the xmas gnomes that attacked your son.

keep us updated often, all paws are family. you got this! hugs n head smooches
 

LadyAred

Lairian
Joined
Nov 4, 2020
Messages
81
Points
44
Before I attempt to curl up and sleep, Brendan is totally back to his normal kitty self. He’s hanging out in the old Corlett family cradle by the Christmas tree. I found him in Kenzie’s dog bed earlier tonight. He was following my daughter everywhere today. He’s totally back to his old ways. He’s a fighter and if I could find his baby picture with Santa, you’d see how amazing this kitty boy is.
Mika’s healing very well, actually her incision looks almost completely healed over, so she’s doing just fine.
Our weather’s turned cold and rainy so I’ve been hiding under my weighted blanket and I’ll admit it, I’ve been crying a bit from the pain when I’m not drifting in and out of sleep. Pain killers aren’t working and I’m allergic to morphine/opiates.
On crap...hang on…i guess Kenzie had a reason for pinning me down. I just got slammed by this one type of migraine that presents as a small stroke or seizure. I need to grab my migraine meds and curl up before the pain hits… at least in bed I can’t fall!
 
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